According to the United National Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, reported new cholera cases and deaths in Zimbabwe have been declining.

From August 26, 2008, through June 8, 2009, 98,522 suspected cases and 4,282 deaths have been reported in the country. The worst-affected areas are the capital city of Harare (19,544 cases and 655 deaths), Mashonaland West (22,753 cases and 946 deaths) and Manicaland (13,649 cases and 661 deaths). Cases of cholera have been reported in all of Zimbabwe’s provinces. Cases have also been confirmed in the neighboring countries of Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zambia. Additional sources have reported cases in Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau, and Togo.

Although the number of new cholera cases has been slowly decreasing since late February 2009, the limited supply of safe water and poor sanitation conditions are delaying a complete end to the outbreak and place communities at risk for future outbreaks.

Cholera is a potentially fatal bacterial infection that causes severe diarrhea and dehydration. The disease is spread through untreated sewage and contaminated drinking water. There is no cholera vaccine available in the United States.

Advice for People Traveling to Zimbabwe

Most travelers are not at high risk for getting cholera and the outbreak is declining, but travelers should still take steps to prevent getting sick. Although no cholera vaccine is available in the United States, U.S. travelers can greatly reduce their risk for cholera by following CDC’s safe food and water advice:

• Before departing for Zimbabwe, talk to your doctor about getting a prescription for an antibiotic to treat traveler’s diarrhea.
• Drink water that you have boiled for at least one minute or treated with chlorine or iodine. Other safe beverages include tea and coffee made with boiled or treated water, as well as drinks that have been bottled and sealed (such as bottled water, carbonated drinks, and sports drinks).
• Do not put ice in drinks, unless the ice is made from boiled or treated water.
• Eat only foods that have been thoroughly cooked and are still hot, or fruit that you have peeled yourself.
• Do not eat undercooked or raw fish or shellfish, including ceviche.
• Make sure all vegetables are cooked. Do not eat salads or other raw vegetables.
• Do not eat foods and drink beverages from street vendors.
• Do not bring perishable seafood back to the United States.

A simple rule of thumb for safe food and water is "Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it."

If you are traveling in Zimbabwe or neighboring countries and have severe watery diarrhea, seek medical care right away. It is important to remember to drink fluids and use oral rehydration solution (ORS) to prevent dehydration.

More Information

For more information about the cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe, including maps:

• Weekly Situation Report—United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (June 8, 2009) (PDF)
• Relief Web, Maps of cholera situation in Zimbabwe—United Nations, Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, (April 2, 2009)

More information for travelers:

• Cholera (from CDC Health Information for International Travel 2008)
• Safe food and water (CDC Travelers’ Health website)

For more information about cholera, see the following CDC links:

• Cholera (from CDC, Division of Foodborne, Bacterial, and Mycotic Diseases)
• Cholera (from CDC Health Information for International Travel 2008)

To find medical care in Zimbabwe:

• On the web: List of local medical specialists (Embassy of the United States, Harare, Zimbabwe)
• By phone:  263-4-250593/4 Consular section of the United States Embassy, Harare, Zimbabwe: American Citizen Services